Friday, 30 November 2012

Just a quick post tonight, went down to Falmouth this afternoon to get a look at the five Waxwings that have been there for a few days.Shot quite a lot of images am I am still processing them, thought I would load a couple taken with the 20D

Wednesday, 28 November 2012

Woke up this morning looked out of the window and low and behold it had stopped raining, this must mean the floods are subsiding.So got dressed lowered the gangplank and walked away from the Ark (Did let a few animals out first of course).So decided to go to St Gothian Sands and try to catch up with the Long Tailed duck that has been there for about a week.On reaching the reserve I walked to the main pool after navigating my way around or through all the other pools that had formed by the recent deluge.Over on the far side of the main pool I spotted the LTD mingling with the Tufted ducks and Pochard, so once there I set up and spent the next hour taking quite a number of shots and at one point it came very close giving excellent views.Below are a few images from the morning.

Monday, 19 November 2012

Just a quick post with a few more images of the Brambling that is still coming to the feeders at the moment, these were taken yesterday afternoon.I used the Canon EOS 50D for these shots with a few adjustments to the settings and I now feel I am getting close to where I want to be with the results.

Friday, 16 November 2012

A few more shots of the Brambling which was again on the feeders today, hopefully it will stay for a few days so I can get some better shots when the weather improves.These images were shot with the Canon EOS 20D and I feel they are much better than the 50D which I am still not completely happy with.Comments on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thursday, 15 November 2012

Logged onto the Cornwall Birding Website this morning for my daily look to see if anything unusual was around and saw that yesterday Brambling were on the feeders at Stithians Res. So decided to make a quick visit this morning as this is one species I do not have any images of,even though I did not have much time as I had other things to do.When I arrived there was quite a bit of activity around the feeders so thought the chances were good, spent around hour there but the Bramblings did not show though I did get some images of a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Water Rail which was around the base of the feeders.So had to leave as other things needed doing but I was a bit disappointed that I still had no images of Brambling.Never mind maybe next time.

GREAT SPOTTED WOOD PECKER.

WATER RAIL.

WATER RAIL.

Part two of this post is as follows: After getting my other chores done and having had lunch I looked out of the kitchen window to check my feeders and noticed a lot of Finches milling around, so grabbing my Binoculars I saw a load of Chaffinches and I could not believe my eyes as on the seed feeder was a Brambling . So after nearly falling over my own legs in the rush to get the camera, also had to rush to the car for the Tripod, thinking this bird is going to be gone before I get things set up.

Well you guessed it luck was with me and it was still there so I managed to get a few shots until they were all flushed by a Wood Pigeon coming in to rob some seeds ( These and Jackdaws are a real nuisance around the feeders ).

So spent the next hour seeing if they would return but nothing doing, but did get some images of the other regulars.

Still the feeders are full and you can be assured I will be looking again tomorrow.

Wednesday, 14 November 2012

What a rare treat we had this morning, the weather was fine and sunny and the visibility was superb.So got out early and took a drive down to Marazion to have a walk around the marsh, not to much in the way of rarities reported in the area the last couple of days but it was just good to be out.So out in the bay were a couple of distant Great Northern Divers one in Summer Plumage, and a raft of 21 Common Scoter.Walked right around the marsh area as far as the railway lines, and with the exception of a very brief view of a Firecrest everything else was common stuff.So had to settle for a few common species as camera food, but I don't mind as I enjoy the normal birds just as much as rarities.

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

*STAR LOG* 7th NOVEMBER 2012 @ 07 50amWeather cloudy /dull Light. Not good Photographic conditions.Arrived at Carnsew Pool just on first light,after getting report that the Long Tailed Duck had turned up again the previous afternoon.Took short walk to pool, area completely deserted except for a few Cormorants and *THE LONG TAILED DUCK*. Jeepers it was close in to the edge in front of me and showing really well even though it was diving continuously.So spent the next hour with it all to myself and as I had nothing else to do I took a few photos (Over 400 of them) a few of which I have sorted and posted below.This is not my first Long Tailed but other I have seen have been on the sea and not close enough to photograph, so was very pleased to get these.Today's moral the bad day led to a good one.

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Had arranged a morning out with Brian this morning, the plan was to go for the Waxwings that had been at Mylor Bridge on the Carrick Roads.But they were not reported yesterday, but a Male Long Tailed Duck had been seen on Carnsew Pool at Hayle so we decided to take a look for that instead.

Arriving at Carnsew we scoured the pool but it was not there, it was then onto the Causeway to scan the estuary, still no sign of it.We then drove to Carbis Bay to check the sea area in case it had moved onto the sea, saw a very nice small Pod of Dolphins moving across the bay, but still no sign of the Duck.Next it was down to Lelant Station to check out the lower Estuary but still no sign so back again to Carnsew for a second check guess what no sign.Right had to get something out of the morning so drove to the Mill Pond in Hayle to have a look at the male Pintail that was reported there.At last something to look at even if it was an escapee, and got a few pics for the effort, Finally it was onto Copperhouse Creek just in case the L.T.D was there but again nothing seen.Still we did get three Brent geese, one Greylag Goose, and a Spoonbill on the esutary so we did not do to badly.The images below are a few rewards of the mornings search.Moral of the morning is you have to have the bad days to make the good ones!!!

BLACK HEADED GULL.

Taken from the Black Bridge at the top of Copperhouse Creek.

GREENSHANK.

Taken on the Estuary just off Lelant Station.

PINTAIL.

This Pintail was on the Mill Pond at Hayle and is considered to be an escapee.

Sunday, 4 November 2012

Managed to get out this morning for the first time in what seems like ages, Headed down to Hayle Est with Brian another birding friend.We found two Whooper Swans on the estuary, and also one Spoonbill that was roosting on the far side.We then headed to Marazion and located a Gadwall on the marsh area, then it was on to Penzance to look for Purple Sandpipers at the Swimming Pool sadly none were seen, but did get a nice shot of a Turnestone which posed rather nicely.We then took a drive over the coast road from Penzance to St Ives looking for Hen Harriers & Short Eared Owls but guess it was a bit late in the morning for then.Anyway nice morning out and a few birds to boot a few of which are posted below.

WHOOPER SWANS.

Hayle Estuary.

WHOOPER SWAN.

Hayle Estuary.

TURNESTONE.

Penzance.

GADWALL

Marazion Marsh.

Post update, after a few initial problems getting the EOS 50D sorted out and upgrading some software issues, I now feel I am beginning to get better images from the setup.

COPYRIGHT

All Photographs are the copyright of Monty Curtis and are not for download or use without permission. If anyone would like a copy of any picture, please E:Mail me at lannerjanner@gmail.comI will forward one to you with pleasure.

Real Time visitors

CORNISH BIRDS OF PREY CENTRE

On retirement from work in 2009 I was presented with two vouchers to visit The Birds of Prey Centre at St Columb Major.
One was for an hours bird handling, and the other for an hours Bird Photography. I arranged to do this in September 2010, and arrived on Thurs 30th.
I was greeted by the proprietors Mick and the Falconer Andy, my first impressions were how clean the reception and Cafeteria area were. After a short introduction, Andy took me through an hours Bird Handling.
This has to be one of the best hours I have spent in a long time, imagine having, Harris Hawk, Gyr Falcon, American Kestrel, Perigrene x Saker Falcon, sitting on your hand, also Scops owl, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl. and Bengal Eagle Owl, also Andy's imparted knowledge shows how much he cares for his charges.
Next it was an hours Bird Photography split into two half hour sessions with a public flying display in between.
(No they did not throw people into the air).
Again nothing was to much trouble as Andy brought out all the birds that could be handled for me to Photograph at lesuire.
So overall thoughts about my visit.
A very clean complex both in the public and animal areas.
Very friendly and helpfull Staff.
Offers super value for money for both individuals and familys.
So if you are on Holiday or local to the area go along and pay them a visit, you will be pleasantly suprised.
As Arnie once said "I will be Back "Below are the shortcuts to the posts of my visit

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME

Hi and welcome to my Blog, I hope that you enjoy your visit and will return again soon My name is Monty and I live in the village of Lanner in the County of Cornwall SW UK.I have been married for 41 yrs, we have two beautiful daughters who have given us three georgous grandchildren .Lanner is situated about 40km North East of Lands End. I have lived here all my life and really love the area.Cornwall is a very diverse area from the wide open moorland of Bodmin Moor in the North and the deep wooded valley's of the Southeast, moving Southwest the rolling farmland of mid, and West Cornwall give way to the coastal moorland in the West of the county.Add to this some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the world, and quaint fishing villages in small coves, and you have a magical place steeped in history, myth and legend.Main Industries these days are Fishing/Tourism andAgriculture.MAIN INTRESTS Photography,Birdwatching ,Walking, and a interest in all things natural. So I hope to share some of my Photos and thoughts with youI am also a Radio Ham for the past 20+ years, call sign is G4ZKH or as a friend in St Johns Newfoundland calls me (Zoo Keepers Helper).

ANY COMMENTS WILL BE APPRECIATED, ALSO BY CHECKING THE REACTIONS BOXE'S IT WILL GIVE ME AN INDICATION OF WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE BLOG AND IF I NEED TO TRY AND IMPROVE IT.